NAGPRA Inventory Completion Notice: C.T. Hurst Museum, Western Colorado University
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
The C.T. Hurst Museum at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO has completed a federally mandated inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects held in its collections, as required by the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The museum has formally determined that a cultural affiliation exists between these remains and objects and one or more federally recognized Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. This notice marks the completion of the inventory phase, which is a prerequisite under NAGPRA before repatriation proceedings can begin. Affiliated tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations now have the legal right to request the transfer of custody of the identified human remains and funerary objects. The publication of this notice in the Federal Register initiates a statutory waiting period, after which the museum may proceed with repatriation to the culturally affiliated parties upon request. No transfer of the human remains or associated objects may occur until the notice has been published and the required period has elapsed, unless an emergency situation applies.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- C.T. Hurst Museum has completed NAGPRA-required inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects as of April 2, 2026
- Museum has formally established cultural affiliation between inventoried items and one or more federally recognized Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations
- Publication of Federal Register notice initiates the statutory 30-day waiting period before repatriation transfer can occur
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Obligations
What this law requires
Complete a federally mandated inventory of all human remains and associated funerary objects held in collections
Determine and document cultural affiliation between human remains/funerary objects and federally recognized Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations
Publish notice of inventory completion in the Federal Register
Observe a statutory waiting period after Federal Register publication before transferring human remains or associated objects
Prohibit transfer of custody of human remains and associated funerary objects until notice has been published in the Federal Register and required waiting period has elapsed